Upgrade, how is it even possible?

[paulista1950]

On my QM2 cruise to the Caribean one of the first things I saw when boarding was a sign reading something like this:

 

"Since all our cabins are booked we cannot update anyone". It was probably written in a more formal english, but I guess you got the idea.

 

OK. Last march I called Cunard to ask when should I consider booking a TA crossing for next april and was surprised by the answer, which was: NOW!

I asked for one inside cabin and had very, very few to choose from.

So, here comes my question: how is it possible for so many people here having been upgraded? How frequent is this lucky experience?

[Kindlychap]

On my QM2 cruise to the Caribean one of the first things I saw when boarding was a sign reading something like this:

 

"Since all our cabins are booked we cannot update anyone". It was probably written in a more formal english, but I guess you got the idea.

 

OK. Last march I called Cunard to ask when should I consider booking a TA crossing for next april and was surprised by the answer, which was: NOW!

I asked for one inside cabin and had very, very few to choose from.

So, here comes my question: how is it possible for so many people here having been upgraded? How frequent is this lucky experience?

 

They say the ship is fully booked to stop people requesting cabin changes. It doesn't mean that every single cabin is full - they must have a couple of spares for emergencies.

 

Equally, they say that you must book NOW so that they can hold on to your money. They may sell more cheap cabins than they have, just to make up numbers, so that these people have to be put somewhere. That somewhere is in a higher grade - hence an "upgrade".

[Louise D]

Kindlychap is quite right. I only just book my Queens Grill stateroom for the World Cruise last week. I usually only book it in November. I was given the choice of Q2 or Q3 and I have never had trouble to book it so late. Cunard will not be giving any upgrades until all the latecomers like me have made their bookings.

 

Regards, Louise

[Therapst]

Kindlychap is quite right. I only just book my Queens Grill stateroom for the World Cruise last week. I usually only book it in November. I was given the choice of Q2 or Q3 and I have never had trouble to book it so late. Cunard will not be giving any upgrades until all the latecomers like me have made their bookings.

 

Regards, Louise

 

Louise, which WC did you book, QE2 or QM2?

[Louise D]

It was QE2. I have not yet ventured on to QM2, although I know at least one of the regular World Cruisers from QE2 is transferring to QM2 this year, for variety. However, I do not think she could convince any of her other friends to join her to take the leap. I like the slow pace on QE2 and feel very much at home there.

 

Regards, Louise

[paulista1950]

So that's probably why they asked me if I would accept an upgrade.

[tombarnes]

I'm new to this board and would like to than the many members here for their excellent advice regarding the QM2! My Dad and I will be sailing oout of Fort Lauderdale on the 15th for a 7 night cruise in the Eastern Caribbean. We booked the cheap seats- a D5 stateroom. Our travel agent suggested that we might possibly be upgraded to a stateroom with a balcony, but said that we might know a couple of days before sailing. I have taken the Rotterdam, and was not upgraded on that ship, but we were able to get a suite on the top deck during the middle of the cruise (it had become suddenly vacant). I was also able to move up to a suite on the Finnmarken in Norway. I certainly don't expect to go from a D5 to the Princess or Queen's Grill, but am wondering if receiving a balcony might not be too much to hope for. Even if there is no upgrade, I am thoroughly looking forward to this trip. My Dad just turned 84. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks, Tom Barnes

[cunardqueen]

On the QE2, its really a matter of luck, on my mini and med trip back to back there was a note made on my booking, which l actually saw at a later stage with a note from my TA the World Club AND Carol Marlow to upgrade should there be space! The booking was made 16 month prior to the cruise and was one of the first bookings, platinum member and all that, and guess what No upgrade.

The usual story on the mini cruise, the first 5 people l spoke with were newcomers and had all been upgraded, not to mention the lady who refused an upgrade

I also have a friend who has sailed over 40 times and has yet to be upgraded once (two of these trips included the full world cruise)

It is of course nice that Cunard appreciate our loyality:rolleyes: So just book what grade your happy with and accept the fate.

Of course on QM2 its a case of who hasnt been upgraded

In spite of all that it was a joy to be assigned on the Captains Table in the Mauretania with Captain Nick, 7 of us had that honour, all past passengers and 2 l had met on previous trips, and what a table it was, even the waiter knew who l was before l arrived, and the service was really something else.

cheers

Myles

[Kindlychap]

Myles - I see that you are on the two nighter before the Med. cruise next year.

 

On the roll call for the jaunt to Brugge next weekend there is a report that there is no longer any priority boarding for either WC or Grills on short trips of less than three days.......

[cunardqueen]

[- I see that you are on the two nighter before the Med. cruise next year.

 

On the roll call for the jaunt to Brugge next weekend there is a report that there is no longer any priority boarding for either WC or Grills on short trips of less than three days......./QUOTE]

Kindlychap

Yes l noticed that as well, On my recent mini cruise it was again long queues but the priority line was as usual empty, the good thing about a back to back is that your ships card is valid through to disembarkation day so if you want a morning ashore you can bypass everybody on your return (l was escorted through)

 

I think its pretty poor of Cunard to withdraw this perk, as we know with any sailing at 5pm the lounge is usually pretty full by 1pm, our cabins are vacated just after breakfast and are reset before noon and yet they still insist on the arcahaic rule of embarking from 2pm, granted when it does start it goes quite quickly, But we both saw the scenes on the one nighter! Do Cunard really expect people to turn up at 3pm to checkin? Indeed most of the gripes were that people spent longer at check in than onboard for the one nighter!

Never having done QM2 l wonder how that embarkation is handled and as for the "whatever of the seas":p that doesnt bear thinking about

[Linda VH]

The QM2 sails on the 16th NOT the 15th. We were upgraded the week we booked from a B4 to A2. The TA (our friend) said that we may be upgraded again. I'm just happy to be going!!! Linda

[bigguy212]

WRT upgrades on QM2, I had an interesting chat w/Cunard folks last week - they advise that they upgrade a number of passengers from a variety of catogories ... some first-time cruisers, some Princess vets, some Cunard platinums, and so on. Too democratic for me, but that's marketing for you.

[tombarnes]

Yes, the sailing is on the 16th, not the 15th. I am leaving for Fort Lauderdale on the 15th, so that's why the date stuck in my mind. As for the upgrade, I will just have to wait and see. As noted above, I'm just happy enough to be sailing on the QM2.

[ocngypz]

There is no rhyme nor reason to upgrading... that one can visually see.

 

It's all done through yield management software.

 

And of course, there are times when one just doesn't to be upraded... on the QE2.... because we are already in our favorite cabin!